ELB Partners Ltd, one of the founding members of the 80-strong Pallet-Track network, has secured a national fleet award that celebrates best practice.

ELB Partners Ltd, one of the founding members of the 80-strong Pallet-Track network, has secured a national fleet award that celebrates best practice.

The Wimbledon-based full-service logistics company established 45 years ago as a three person partnership and now employing 60 staff, has won the Fleet Operators Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold award, the highest voluntary scheme accolade which is designed to raise the level of quality in the sector and demonstrate which operators are accomplishing its standards.
The award recognises innovation including ELB Partners investment in the 35-strong fleet to include almost £160,000 worth of technology to protect other road users.

The £4,500 per vehicle investment represents the highest ever road specification kit for vulnerable road users which, in the latest two new Volvo trucks, also includes a fifth camera on the driver’s side to prevent blind spots and transparent panel behind the driver’s shoulder to improve visibility.
FORS, which offers gold, silver and bronze awards, is a method of recognising fleet operations that comply with the requirements of the FORS Standard which is based upon lawfulness, safety, efficiency, and environmental protection. Fleet operations are audited against the requirements of by an approved FORS certification body.

FORS encourages operators to take a more forensic view of their business to identify areas of strength to be exploited and improvements that can be made. A successful assessment provides a business with reassurance that their operation is being run safely, efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner. The FORS logo allows potential customers to readily distinguish those with FORS accreditation from other operators. Users of fleet operator services may also ask that their suppliers are FORS recognised.

Peter Eason, managing director of ELB Partners, which joined the Pallet-track network in 2004, said: “We are delighted to announce that we have secured the FORS Gold award and are the first independent general haulier in London to have secured this accolade. This is a huge achievement for a family haulier, and a testament to all the hard work put in by all of our staff.”

Nigel Parkes, managing director of Pallet-Track, which last year scooped the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Best Practice in Freight Transport Award 2014, said: “We applaud ELB Partners for its well-deserved FORS Gold award which underlines its commitment to quality service to its customers and the broader Pallet-track family. We work in a competitive market where customers are looking for operators who differentiate themselves on service rather than the ‘race-to-the-bottom’ on price.

After securing the Midland’s regional title in the British Chamber of Commerce Awards 2014 earlier in the year, Pallet-Track also scooped The Best Use of Technology to Improve Business Performance at the business organisation’s national awards in November.